Page 65 - Off the Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 1 of 2)

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FESTIVALS AND PARTIES

MAIN IMAGE A resplendent elephant decked out in lights parading
through the streets BELOW (left to right) Drummers followed by
the Maligawa Tusker; costumed children; performers at Esala Perahera

3 MORE FESTIVALS TO RIVAL
ST PATRICK’S DAY, NYC

ROMERIA DEL ROCIO, ANDALUCIA, SPAIN Throughout
Pentecost weekend, people from all over Spain converge on
the shrine of Nuestra Señora del Rocío (the “Virgin of the Dew”)
on the edge of the Doñana National Park. It is a pilgrimage of
colorful celebration well worth seeing.
RATH YATRA (CHARIOT FESTIVAL), PURI, INDIA Puri, in the
Indian state of Orissa, is home to one of the most extraordinary
religious processions every June or July, when the huge chariot
of Lord Jagannath is dragged around the streets through
impassioned crowds. To be crushed to death beneath
Jagannath’s chariot is considered particularly auspicious.
CIRIO DE NAZARÉ, BELÉM, BRAZIL Brazil’s second-largest
street party after Rio Carnival, Cirio de Nazaré honors the city of
Belém’s Virgin – Nossa Senhora de Nazaré. After a very solemn
procession, the merriment begins, with much drinking and
dancing to be had. Held on the second Sunday in October.

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